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In the Heights star Melissa Barrera reflects on the film’s box office failure with a brighter outlook. Barrera played female lead Vanessa in the screen adaptation of the Lin-Manuel Miranda musical. Despite its hype and studio backing, In the Heights was a massive flop during its summer 2021 release, having only grossed just over $45 million against its $55 million production budget, falling well short of its reported $200 million break-even point.
Now, Barrera expresses her positive outlook on In the Heights’ box office result. Speaking to People, Barrera notes that In the Heights “ taught [her] a huge lesson – that [she has] no control over what happens when a movie comes out or when a show comes out.” After it all, Barrera still reports to be “proud of” the film which she feels she “belong[s]” in. Check out the full quote from Barrera below:
It really affected me. [But] it also taught me a huge lesson – that I have no control over what happens when a movie comes out or when a show comes out. The only thing I have control over is my experience and my feelings while making it and if I’m proud of it. I cannot let the stars not aligning, or whatever is happening with the world, take that away from me. Imagine if [In the Heights] had been a success and everything had been incredible and it made a billion dollars at the box office – and then my next movie flopped. That would have been, I think, harder… I’m so grateful that my life has been exactly as it has been. I am a firm believer in manifesting things into existence, and In the Heights was one of those things … That’s the show where I belong – the first time that I ever saw people that looked like me on a Broadway stage.
Melissa Barrera’s Box Office Opinions Weren’t Always this Positive
Barrera’s initial reaction to In the Heights’ box office numbers was not nearly as positive. At the time of the release, Barrera claimed that the film’s box office fate was “unfair,” also describing it as “one of the worst feelings” that she had felt after seeing the headlines surrounding its lackluster financial performance, which she deemed “brutal and horrible”.
It seems time has drastically shifted Barrera’s opinion, as the rising star now sees the valuable aspects that drew her to In the Heights in the first place. These values aren’t unique to Barrera, but rather also expressed by critics who gave the Broadway musical adaptation nearly universal acclaim, praising many of its ensemble cast’s performances, including Barrera’s. While it may not have the box office numbers to back it, In the Heights still resonated when it hit the screen.
Part of Barrera’s ability to see the In the Heights process as a learning experience rather than insult may stem from how her career has gone since. Having primarily acted in Spanish-language TV prior, save for Starz’ Vida, the musical marked Barrera’s first major steps into the Hollywood scene, following it up with 2022’s Scream and its recently released sequel. In the Heights may not have been Barrera’s blockbuster big break, but if her career follows suit with the likes of Scream, she is sure to have more blockbuster opportunities.
Source: People
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